Messages posted by : pavelski
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Tony,
There was a famous skier called Wayne Wong who was great. He "created" some skiing "moves" that younger skiers now do and one famous picture you often see is called the "Wong Banger". Picture this. Fast fast skiing in spring moguls. Go into "valley" of moguls, lean wayyyyyy back so that 90% of ski is off the top of mogul and 10% of ski tail is on crest of mogul! On that 10% zone, Wayne Wong would pivot on crest of mogul, explode out of mogul into next valley ! Just like that girl! I must admit for many years I skied way back in moguls trying to make that Wong Banger ! We are all guilty of some skiing sins! Why be perfect ? |
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We all can read,,,,,that is how you can share my thoughts now !
We all assume we are competent in this skill! So I challenge you to "translate" some of the marketing texts I will post soon on this site! They will be from ski sites, ski journals, ski technical workshop manuals for stores ! I will assume that you all have at least a post primary education! First you must understand the difference between information texts ( very rare these days) and selling , marketing, propaganda texts! Who will be the first to post a purely "informative" ski text ? That is,,,a text that has a goal to "inform" ( we assume objectively ) about a ski! The fun begins,,,while we wait for snow!!!!! |
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Yes just three, but they are THE three you will see in all resorts all over the world!
I remember posting them some time ago,,,but can not find posting ( lost in all other skier sins), so please forgive repetition! 1. Looking at skis or ski tips while skiing. This is a cardinal ski sin for several reasons. First safety. If you are looking at ski tip,,,well you will not see tree, rock, wall, other skier coming ahead! You must look at least 5 meters ahead,,like when driving a car. Look where you are going to,,,,,not where you are ! When you walk do you look at your feet? Yet your brain "knows" where you feet are at all times. You have developed an "unconscious" "automatic" neural sensory link up from feet to brain! That is what you want to do when skiing. Allow brain to develop this link up with skis by looking ahead and not at skis! My skis are an extension of my body now and I never look at them,,,,,well I do once in a while when they have given me a "special" run or have helped me get over a difficult section. Then I look down ,,thank them ! 2, This second error,,,well it is the most difficult to get over! 90% of skiers turn by rotating their upper bodies. their shoulders, their arms, their faces ! Watch ,,,you will see this; face turns right, then shoulders turn right, arms and poles then turn right,,,,,several seconds after,,,the skis will follow ( often with some resistance) ! That is why you all ( well some of you ) get sore backs, sore necks and arms! Go back to easy slopes, learn to let skis do work for you by "suggesting" to then via knees to turn. Be patient skis have a mind of their own,,,,,once you and the ski are 'friends" they will do what you suggest ! Note the word "suggest" ! Forcing a ski to turn with your body will cause you grief,,,since skis always wins! It waits and waits and when you think you are "master",,,,it will go left when you say right! Learn to be friends with skis rather than "dominator", boss, or ,,,,,,,, 3. The third skiing mistake has many names! You all know it and will say, "ha,,,,,I have seen that, I have done that,,,,has Pavel seen me" ? Here is the scene. Going down a great slope,,,,you get "carried away" in your excitement, your thrill, your sheer skiing brilliance and,,,,,,you realize you have too much speed. ! The trees are a blur,,,,,the skiers seem so slow,,,,,,that wind seems to be sooooooo strong ! Then you feel it ! That vibration from the ski tips! The ski sin is,,,,,,, sitting back. Skiing with tails of skis! Thigh torture! The toilet skier! The flapper skier! etc,,,,, You have all seen it ! Perhaps still doing it ! Don"t since you are heading for the "ski patrol" cottage ! Think about it! You have a pair of 160 cm skis but are just using 30 cm. of the tail part of the ski! ( and going fast )! What will happen ? Iceman, hope this has helped you! This message was not "referring" to anyone. All persons mentions are not real. Are incidents are imagined ! So if you think I am referring to you,,,,write to Dave the site guru ! With great respect to all skiers, Pavel |
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First
Have your boots checked for alignment! Those side adjustment screws are important. Second you stated that you try to "flat ski" ! That is you ski with both skis flat on snow! That is sliding,,,not skiing! In skiing you go from edge to edge. Many call it "carving" ( yes Bandit in powder you "flat ski" or float on snow powder ). When you flat ski ( both bases flat on snow) that is the most unstable position since skis will tend to go left right up down according to terrain, your position etc,,,! Put a ski on edge and you have a guided missile. Try to go back to easier slopes and practice putting weight on 80% downhill edges. Feel the power and stability in this position. Then transfer to other ski with NO FLAT SKI PHASE ! You get power, you get speed, you get elegance and you get safety all in you move ! Try it ! Edge= power, stability flat=never never land, unsteady, unstable skis |
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Mike3000,
Ha,,,,,the book ! ( and now You Tube ) ! Learning by the book,,,is fine to get the "main idea" of what skiing is all about, but well travelled skiers will tell you that the book can never prepare you for; -the challenges you will face ( both physical and mental) -the many senses awakened in you -the fears and joys you will have -the freedom discovered -the techniques and strategies you must and will acquire. The book is so "intellectual" skiing is so sensual ! Sorry Mike but yes a one time book read is fine, but if you want soar then get lessons at least to get basics. 90% of skiers do just 3 major "errors" and if they could avoid these they will enjoy skiing so much more. In my opinion not taking lessons is like learning how to build a house while building it ( and often you do not have right tools ) ! Those few euros you will 'invest" in your pleasure will be worth it! Trust me. You will progress faster. You will not have "bad" habits which will linger for years and perhaps ,,,just perhaps you will save your back, knee or relationship ! Strange how skiers will pay many euros for great outfits, skis, hotel etc,,,,but on themselves to be better skiers,,,,,,,,,,, You deserve it,,,,,,so do it ! As the French say it,,you will have, "pure bonheur" ! |
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Andy,
What a request,,,,,do you have 2 hours ???? What a trip!!! You will never forget it it! First,,,do you have a GPS! If so get the North American software. You will understand why once you see options! Second,,,yes Google map is a great option. Third,,,,What you will not get on net is the "flavor" of the culture. the essence of the country. That you will get by "listening" to the people. knowing a little Canadian history and knowing the origins of that railroad you will be taking. Here is the first point that few tourists know. That railroad you will be taking was built for one reason. To make sure that Canada ( from coast to coast ) would exists since the Americans in the 1800s were planning to expand North! Imagine the rockies under the eagle ! You will also notice "cultural" variations as you flow into the "melting pot of people" ! Very French in Quebec ( look up Plains of Abraham), very anglo-saxon Toronto, be ready for the long long slavic names in the western provinces. The result of wars revolutions and genocides! May I suggest you go away from the "tourist paths" all prepared for you in various places. Take a walk in Jasper to a small park just several blocks away from the train station. You will be suprised ! Walk up the Columbia ice fields. Do not take bus with all the tourists! You will feel the earth melting. You will see the past, the present and the coming future. Touch that emeral green freezing water coming out of the glacier. The sensation will last a life time! Take one of the perfectly round stones,,polished for centuries by the ice. Take it home for your mantel. Must stop since Dave will say I am taking too much room on this site! Oh,,,,one more. At Banff,,,go to the natural giant hot springs just above the town, Dip into the sulfuric waters for 1-2 hours. It will do wonders for your stress, your back, your sore joints! If you can do it at night,,,the view from pool is "enchanting" ! You will be a new man after trip! Bon Voyage!!! Pavel Tour Guide |
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Trencher,
Yes 'I call them "hidden pearls" since the people are "real". The runs have "character" since they are not straight boulevards. The challenge is at every turn and finally the "après ski" is done with the workers, the patrollers, the managers! I seek out these places,,,,,but I rarely share on net where they are! SHHHHHHHH! Think snow! Pavel |
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Moogy,
Yes the gramophone was unique in its time. Yes the floppy disk was great. Yes the typewriter had its day,,,,but we must move on! Great skis like the VR17s, the Rossi Statos, the Hexcel swallow tail but you must try new designs. Be all means rent (hire) demo skis but also change your attitude and mind set about how to ski9 new skis! No more three phase turns ( down, up, rotate) No more muscling turns No more stiff stiff boots. Now just pleasure and a smart knee angulation ! You will enjoy it ! Let me put it to you this way. Take out an old TR4,,,yes great car in its day! Then take a drive in a Z4 ! No comparison! Hope this helps you come over to "easy side" ! Pavel |
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